EP1098915B1 - Verfahren zur herstellung von ethylen copolymeren, die zur herstellung von filmen und rohren geeignet sind - Google Patents

Verfahren zur herstellung von ethylen copolymeren, die zur herstellung von filmen und rohren geeignet sind Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1098915B1
EP1098915B1 EP00914022A EP00914022A EP1098915B1 EP 1098915 B1 EP1098915 B1 EP 1098915B1 EP 00914022 A EP00914022 A EP 00914022A EP 00914022 A EP00914022 A EP 00914022A EP 1098915 B1 EP1098915 B1 EP 1098915B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
preparation
polymerization
support
ethylene
ethylene copolymers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00914022A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1098915A1 (de
Inventor
Pavel Sindelar
Martin Havranek
Zdenek Salajka
Pavel Pesta
Kvetoslava Stepankova
Ladislav Jansa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Chemopetrol AS
Polymer Institute Brno Spol sro
Original Assignee
Chemopetrol AS
Polymer Institute Brno Spol sro
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chemopetrol AS, Polymer Institute Brno Spol sro filed Critical Chemopetrol AS
Publication of EP1098915A1 publication Critical patent/EP1098915A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1098915B1 publication Critical patent/EP1098915B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
    • C08F210/00—Copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond
    • C08F210/16—Copolymers of ethene with alpha-alkenes, e.g. EP rubbers

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to the method of production of ethylene copolymers suitable for manufacturing films and pipes using supported catalysts containing chromic acid esters
  • the supported catalyst system is prepared as follows: a silyl chromate compound is anchored to the surface of a support, typically activated silica (being activated at a temperature between 100 and 900°C for 2 to 6 hours) in an aliphatic hydrocarbon, then an organoaluminium compound is added at a Al/Cr ratio between 0.1 : 1 and 15 : 1.
  • the catalyst produces, at an ethylene pressure of 1.33 atm at a temperature between 60 and 90 °C and at a hydrogen pressure of 1.3 atm, a polymer with melt flow rate in a range of 0.04 - 1.57 dg/min (at 21.6 N load) and exhibits a very broad molecular weight distribution reflected in MFR 216 /MFR 21.6 between 100 and 170.
  • a copolymer is prepared, exhibiting - depending on polymerization conditions - density in a range of 0.938 - 0.956 g/cm 3 .
  • the polymer thus prepared is probably designed to be used for manufacturing films or pipes employed in distribution systems for hot and cold water and pressurized natural gas.
  • CZ 285 446 Patent a procedure for preparing polymers with a high melt flow rate and a narrow molecular weight distribution was disclosed using a catalyst system containing a silyl chromate component.
  • a principle of the procedure is a modified method of preparation of the catalyst in which the type and concentration of hydroxyl groups on the silica surface provide formation of active centers with linear structure. This type of active center prefers transfer reactions on account of copolymerization, if 1-alkene monomers are polymerized.
  • the polymers are unable to meet increasing demands on polymer quality; therefore the polymers for more demanding applications are prepared using new types of catalyst systems or novel procedures for polymer preparation. These systems or polymerization procedures can control more efficiently the structure of the polymer matrix.
  • the catalyst systems belonging to this group should ideally be chromium oxide systems; the basic version was disclosed in US 2 825 721 Patent.
  • a novel procedure of the polymer preparation is a process with a cascade of two reactors where e.g. a slurry polymerization in the first reactor is followed by a gas-phase polymerization in the second reactor.
  • a procedure of preparation of ethylene copolymer suitable for film or pipe applications is provided, using a substantially innovated catalyst system containing chromic acid esters. Utilization of this catalyst system allows preparation of copolymers with a high content of high molecular weight chains, with an optimum degree of branching providing an efficient interlining of crystalline and amorphous phases of polymer.
  • the support is solid porous material, such as silica, alumina, silica/alumina including their mixtures, or other inorganic oxides, such as magnesia or titania, which can be utilized either separately or in combination with silica, alumina and silica/alumina.
  • the silica activation process is conducted so as to provide formation on the silica surface of a certain amount of all hydroxyl groups, a part of them being vicinal hydroxyl groups according to structure A.
  • This structure after alkylation is a source of polymerization active centers.
  • the silyl chromate compound is alkylated by RO x AlR 3-x first and then by R 2 Mg compound or simultaneously by their mixture.
  • the organoaluminium compound is Et 2 AlOEt and the organomagnesium compound is butyloctylmagnesium.
  • the catalyst containing organomagnesium compound exhibits higher activity and higher stability during the polymerization process.
  • the catalyst components or their reaction products are anchored to the support surface.
  • solid porous materials such as silica, alumina, silica/alumina and their mixture, can be used.
  • Other inorganic oxides are magnesia or titania which can be used either separately or combined with silica, alumina or silica/alumina.
  • a support with a specific surface area between 50 and 1000 m 2 /g support it is highly desirable to remove water and other volatile compounds from the support before interaction with the catalytic components. This is usually done by heat activation of the support in a stream of an inert gas such as nitrogen.
  • an inert gas such as nitrogen.
  • a high efficiency in controlling the enchainment of a comonomer into the polymer chain was achieved using silicas containing from 0.8 to 1.25 mmole of all hydroxyl groups per gram, 0.03 - 0.5 mmole hydroxyl groups per gram out of them being vicinal OH groups.
  • the procedure of the catalyst preparation results in a slight narrowing of the molecular weight distribution of the polymer.
  • the catalyst system according to the present invention is prepared by a reaction of the component (a) with a porous support referred to as component (b) and then by a reaction with an alkylating agent - component (c).
  • the chromate itself should be freed from water and other volatile compounds before use.
  • an inert hydrocarbon e.g. isopentane, isohexane, pentane, heptane.
  • the catalyst preparation, as well as the charging of the catalyst components, is carried out in an inert gas atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen, argon, helium) freed from moisture and oxygen.
  • the catalyst system prepared according to the present invention is used for the preparation of ethylene copolymers exhibiting density between 938 and 950 kg/m 3 and medium-to-wide molecular weight distribution expressed in terms of FRR ranging from 80-120 (FRR refers to ratio of melt-flow rates at two loads, namely 216 and 21.6 N).
  • organometal compounds of Group IV metals from the Periodic Table of the Elements can be used.
  • the most advantageous is a combination of an organoaluminium of general formula R 2 3 Al, R 2 2 AlOR, R 2 AlOR 3 2 and an organomagnesium compound R 3 2 Mg, the alkyl groups being either identical or different.
  • the conditions of ethylene polymerization and its copolymerization with 1-alkene comonomers are not limited. Polymerization of ethylene in solution, in slurry or in the gas phase can be carried out according to the present invention in a single reactor, in a cascade of reactors in continuous as well in discontinuous modes. If ethylene polymerization is carried out in slurry, the catalyst is dispersed in the reactor in a suitable hydrocarbon, such as propane, butane, isobutane, pentane, isopentane, hexane and heptane.
  • a suitable hydrocarbon such as propane, butane, isobutane, pentane, isopentane, hexane and heptane.
  • Polymerization is carried out in the temperature range of 60 - 150 °C, most preferentially between 60 °C and 110 °C and at pressures ranging from atmospheric pressure to 4.0 MPa. Standard methods can be used for controlling the molecular weight of the resulting polymer.
  • the most efficient methods of molecular weight control are polymerization temperature, ratio of organoaluminium to organomagnesium compounds (Al/Mg), concentration of Cr on the support surface and concentration of oxygen in the polymerization reactor.
  • the catalyst system according to the present invention is suitable for copolymerization of ethylene with 1-alkene comonomers, such as propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene or 1-octene.
  • 1-alkene comonomers such as propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene or 1-octene.
  • the reactor temperature was increased to 70 °C and the component interaction proceeded at this temperature for 1 hour. After sedimentation of the solid product on the reactor bottom, the superfluous solvent was decanted. The remaining part of the solvent was removed in vacuo.
  • the catalyst thus obtained was a free-flowing greenish powder.
  • a 1.8 L stainless steel polymerization reactor was used for testing the catalyst system performance.
  • the reactor was equipped with a mechanical stirrer and a jacket for temperature control.
  • the polymerization was initiated by breaking the glass ampoule with the catalyst. Polymerization was carried out for 2 hours, while the relevant quantity of 1-hexene was added 1 ⁇ 2 hour after the start of polymerization, and ethylene was fed continuously to keep a constant pressure of 2.1 MPa during the whole polymerization. The amount of ethylene consumed during the polymerization and temperature changes were monitored continuously during the whole polymerization. After finishing the polymerization, the polymer obtained was weighed and its properties assessed employing the methods described above. The results are summarized in Table 1.
  • the catalyst system in a free-flowing powdery form was fed from the catalyst charger using nitrogen overpressure into the bottom part of the pilot plant reactor.
  • Polymerization proceeded in a fluidized bed containing the polymer powder and the catalyst.
  • the bed fluidization was secured by a gas flow, a mixture of monomer, comonomer and hydrogen.
  • the following ranges of stationary state were used in the continuous reactor: pressure from 1.8 to 2.0 MPa, temperature from 70 to 100 °C, and mole ratios shown in Table 1.
  • the polymer produced was removed from the reactor discontinuously, depending on the polymerization rate.
  • the reactor productivity depends on residence time in the reactor (between 2 and 8 hours), on the efficiency of cooling the recycling mixture of monomers and on the activity and concentration of the catalyst used.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren, die für die Produktion von Folien oder Rohren geeignet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Initiierung der Polymerisation von Ethylen und 1-Alkenmonomer ein, durch folgende Interaktion entstandenes, katalytisches System, verwendet wird:
    a) Silylchromat der allgemeinen Formel I,
    Figure 00130001
    wo R1 ein alifatischer, cyklischer oder aromatischer, von 1 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltender Kohlenwasserstoffrest ist, der vor dem Kontakt mit dem porösen Träger in einem alifatischen Kohlenwasserstoff suspendiert wird und mit ultrareinem Stickstoff durchströmt wird
    mit
    b) einem porösen Trägermaterial, dessen Oberfläche mit Hydroxylgruppen bedeckt ist und deren Konzentration und Charakter vor der Interaktion durch Wärmekonditionierung geregelt wird, unter Entstehung eines, durch das Schema A gekennzeichneten Zwischenproduktes
    Figure 00130002
    als Folge der Hydrolyse von zwei Estergruppen des Silylchromates, und das nur durch Einwirkung von Hydroxylgruppen des Trägers, und weiter wird das Zwischenprodukt A reduziert mit
    c) einem Alkylierungsmittel, das
    eine aluminiumorganische Verbindung der allgemeinen Formel II ist R2 a R3 b Al (OR4)3-(a+b), in Kombination mit einer magnesiumorganischen Verbindung der allgemeinen Formel III R2 R3 Mg, wo R2, R3 und R4 alifatische, cyklische oder aromatische, von 1 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Kohlenwasserstoffreste sind, diese Alkylreste können gleich oder unterschiedlich sein, a und b sind ganze Zahlen von 0 bis 3,
    wobei die Verhältnisse zwischen den einzelnen Komponenten im Katalysator sich im angegebenen Bereich bewegen: der Gehalt an Silylchromat am Träger bewegt sich von 0,05 bis 1,0 % des Trägergewichtes, das Verhältnis zwischen der Gesamtmenge der Organometallverbindungen ORG zum Silylchromat, schematisch ausgedrückt durch die Beziehung ORG/Cr, liegt im Bereich von 0,5 bis 20, am günstigsten von 1 bis 10, und das gegenseitige Verhältnis der aluminiumorganischen und der magnesiumorganischen Verbindungen Al:Mg bewegt sich von 10:0,1 bis 0,1:10.
  2. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das poröse Material - die Komponente b) Silika, Silika-Alumina, Magnesia, Titania oder ihr Gemisch ist, das eine solche Konzentration und Type von OH Gruppen enthält, die die Hydrolyse beider Estergruppen gewährleistet und das führt zur Entstehung des, an die Oberfläche des Trägers mit zwei chemischen Bindungen gebundenen, aktiven Zentrums.
  3. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Komponente a) des angeführten Systems vor der Interaktion mit dem Träger von Wasser, Sauerstoff und anderen unerwünschten Verunreinigungen befreit wird.
  4. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Polymerisation in Gegenwart eines flüssigen inerten Kohlenwasserstoffes bei einer Konzentration von Wasserstoff von 0 - 50 Volums-% und 50 - 100 Volums-% Ethylen oder eines Gemisches von Ethylen mit einem 1-Alkencomonomer durchgeführt wird.
  5. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Polymerisation in der Gasphase in einem Fluidbett, das 0 - 50 Volums-% Wasserstoff und 50 - 100 Volums-% 1-Alken enthält, mit der Wahl der Polymerisation in Gegenwart eines Comonomers oder eines Comonomergemisches, bei einer Temperatur von 60 bis 150 °C im Druckbereich von atmosphärischem Druck bis 8,0 MPa durchgeführt wird.
  6. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 4 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Polymerisation zuerst im Medium eines inerten Kohlenwasserstoffes und in der darauffolgenden Phase in der Gasphase durchgeführt wird.
  7. Herstellungsverfahren von Ethylencopolymeren nach Anspruch 5 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Polymerisation in der Gasphase in zwei Stufen mit unterschiedlichen Polymerisationsbedingungen durchgeführt wird.
EP00914022A 1999-04-08 2000-04-05 Verfahren zur herstellung von ethylen copolymeren, die zur herstellung von filmen und rohren geeignet sind Expired - Lifetime EP1098915B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CZ121999 1999-04-08
CZ19991219A CZ288056B6 (cs) 1999-04-08 1999-04-08 Způsob přípravy kopolymerů ethylenu vhodných pro výrobu fólií nebo trubek
PCT/CZ2000/000023 WO2000061645A1 (en) 1999-04-08 2000-04-05 Method of preparation of ethylene copolymers suitable for manufacturing films and pipes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1098915A1 EP1098915A1 (de) 2001-05-16
EP1098915B1 true EP1098915B1 (de) 2004-07-28

Family

ID=5462947

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00914022A Expired - Lifetime EP1098915B1 (de) 1999-04-08 2000-04-05 Verfahren zur herstellung von ethylen copolymeren, die zur herstellung von filmen und rohren geeignet sind

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6569966B1 (de)
EP (1) EP1098915B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE272081T1 (de)
CZ (1) CZ288056B6 (de)
DE (1) DE60012452T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2225110T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2000061645A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6989344B2 (en) * 2002-12-27 2006-01-24 Univation Technologies, Llc Supported chromium oxide catalyst for the production of broad molecular weight polyethylene
US7151073B2 (en) 2004-01-16 2006-12-19 Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc. Mesoporous catalyst support, a catalyst system, and method of making and using same for olefin polymerization
US7414099B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2008-08-19 Univation Technologies, Llc Hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalysts and their use in a gas-phase polymerization reactor
JP2012144724A (ja) 2010-12-24 2012-08-02 Japan Polyethylene Corp 改良された分岐度分布を有するポリエチレン、その製法およびそれからなる中空プラスチック成形品
CN108690151B (zh) * 2017-04-07 2020-12-18 中国石油化工股份有限公司 一种用于烯烃聚合的催化剂体系及烯烃聚合方法

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE294719C (de) 1900-01-01
NL135065C (de) 1965-05-14
US3790550A (en) 1969-11-21 1974-02-05 Union Carbide Corp Fluid bed polymerization process
US4003712A (en) 1970-07-29 1977-01-18 Union Carbide Corporation Fluidized bed reactor
US3984351A (en) * 1975-03-14 1976-10-05 National Petro Chemicals Corporation Olefin polymerization catalyst
US4356294A (en) * 1980-10-24 1982-10-26 National Petro Chemicals Corp. Production of polyolefins having improved ESCR
US5198400A (en) 1987-05-20 1993-03-30 Quantum Chemical Corporation Mixed chromium catalysts and polymerizations utilizing same
US5137994A (en) 1991-05-23 1992-08-11 Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation Process for the simultaneous trimerization and copolymerization of ethylene
US5625012A (en) 1994-06-29 1997-04-29 Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation Process for reducing polymer build-up in recycle lines and heat exchangers during polymerization of alpha olefins
US6011127A (en) * 1996-05-20 2000-01-04 Showa Denko K.K. Process for the production of ethylenic polymers
US6022933A (en) * 1997-08-14 2000-02-08 Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation Process for the preparation of polyethylene

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60012452T2 (de) 2005-08-04
WO2000061645A1 (en) 2000-10-19
US6569966B1 (en) 2003-05-27
DE60012452D1 (de) 2004-09-02
CZ9901219A3 (cs) 2001-01-17
EP1098915A1 (de) 2001-05-16
ATE272081T1 (de) 2004-08-15
ES2225110T3 (es) 2005-03-16
CZ288056B6 (cs) 2001-04-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2557054B2 (ja) アルフア−オレフイン重合用触媒組成物
EP0100879B1 (de) Äthylen-Hexen-1-Mischpolymerisate und Verfahren zur Herstellung von Äthylen-Monoolefin-Mischpolymerisaten
KR0161989B1 (ko) 에틸렌 중합 방법
KR950012332B1 (ko) 올레핀 공중합용 고체 촉매성분 및 상기 고체 촉매 성분을 사용하는 올레핀 공중합방법
JPS5920681B2 (ja) 重合触媒
JPH03290410A (ja) ジメチルアルミニウムクロリドで活性化したオレフィン重合触媒組成物
EP0021605B1 (de) Kohlenwasserstoff-Polymere auf Äthylenbasis mit hoher Reissfestigkeit, aus diesen Polymeren geformte Folien und Verfahren zur Herstellung dieser Polymere
SK279445B6 (sk) Katalyzátor typu ziegler-natta nanesený na nosičov
EP1098915B1 (de) Verfahren zur herstellung von ethylen copolymeren, die zur herstellung von filmen und rohren geeignet sind
EP0902794B1 (de) Katalysator
AU735908B2 (en) Start-up polymerization process
US5169815A (en) Chromium-containing complex polymerization catalyst
JPS6099106A (ja) エチレンの重合方法
EP0910470A1 (de) Katalysatoren mit hoher aktivität zur herstellung von polyethylen mit mittlerer molekulargewichtsverteilung
CN107434831B (zh) 铬系催化剂组分及其制备方法和铬系催化剂
WO2011006111A1 (en) Enhanced condensed mode operation in method of producing polyofefins with chromium based catalysts
CN112166128B (zh) 活化剂-成核剂配制物
CN108690151B (zh) 一种用于烯烃聚合的催化剂体系及烯烃聚合方法
EP1414871B1 (de) Gas-polymerisationsverfahren von ethylen
EP1297029B1 (de) Verfahren zur ethylenpolymerisation
CZ242497A3 (cs) Způsob přípravy polyethylenu s vysokým indexem toku a úzkou distribucí molekulových hmotností
CN87102323A (zh) 制取宽分子量分布聚合物的乙烯聚合方法
EP1230280A1 (de) Katalysator für polyethylen mit verbesserter verteilung der kurzen ketten
JPH02138308A (ja) ポリオレフィン樹脂成形物の製造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010104

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT DE ES FI FR GB IT SE

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT DE ES FI FR GB IT SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60012452

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20040902

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2225110

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

ET Fr: translation filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20050429

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20070221

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20070228

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070228

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070228

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20070329

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20070427

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20070518

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20070531

Year of fee payment: 8

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080405

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20081101

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20081231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080405

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080405

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20080407

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080405

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080407

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080405

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080406